ABSTRACT
This work investigated the viability of using locally available vegetable seed oils to produce biodiesel. Two indigenous seeds- Hibiscus Surattensis (Hausa-rahma) and Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Hausa-yakwua) were used to carry out the research. Biodiesel from oils derived from these seeds were produced by alkali catalyzed transesterification process. The physicochemical properties of the oils (such as viscosity, flash point, calorific value, relative density, acid value, ash content, carbon content, saponification value, iodine value and hydrogen content) and various blending ratios of biodiesel with diesel obtained from oils of these seeds were investigated and compared with standard diesel fuel. The methyl esters of the samples were comparatively analysed based on their performance characteristics in blends of 30:70, 40:60 and 50:50 using a Leyland Compression Ignition Engine coupled to a hydro-dynamometer. Parameters like speed of engine and fuel consumption were measured at different loads for pure diesel and various combinations of biodiesel blends. Torque, brake horse power and specific fuel consumption were calculated. The test results indicate that the biodiesel blends of 40:60 for H. Sabdariffa has Brake horse power- 12.44kW, Speed- 2000rpm, and SFC 0.118 l /kW hr and; 30:70 for H. Surattensis has Brake horse power- 13.78kW, Speed-2000rpm, and SFC-0.332 l/kW hr while Diesel has Brake horse power- 10kW, Speed-2000rpm, and SFC-0.193 l/kW hr. Both H. Sabdariffa at 40:60 blend and H. Surattensis at 30:70 blend have brake horse power and SFC higher than diesel at the speed of 2000rpm hence H. Sabdariffa - 7 - blend of 40:60 and H. Surattensis blend of 30:70 blend can be recommended for use in diesel engines without making any engine modifications.